Parent Handbook
Dear Parents,
It is a pleasure to welcome the families of the Class of 2011 to Allegheny College. I look forward to meeting you in late August. And to the families of our current students, I hope you have had a good summer and I look forward to seeing you during Family Weekend.
Our Parent Handbook is designed to help you understand our educational program, college policies, and functions of various administrative offices. We put this handbook in your hands so that you can guide your son or daughter to appropriate resources. Further, we offer each parent of first-year students a copy of "Helping Your First-Year College Student Succeed." This handbook is an excellent resource that gives insight into the student experience while offering a parent's perspective. I highly encourage you to review this pamphlet when questions arise.
We have found that parents are especially important in helping to set expectations concerning students' use of alcohol. Our research indicates that 40% of students report consuming alcohol during the summer months leading up to the first year at Allegheny College. You can assist your son or daughter by discussing the questions found under the handbook's Wellness and Alcohol section (pages 14-15). National data indicate that parents who talked to their son or daughter prior to enrollment significantly influenced the drinking tendencies of their student and lowered the negative consequences that are associated with binge drinking behaviors. By having these valuable conversations this summer, your family will be able to develop expectations that will help your son or daughter contribute to a healthy Allegheny community while allowing him or her to develop an adult life that is rich in meaning and purpose.
Once your son or daughter begins classes at Allegheny College, you have a significant role to play. It is helpful if you are able to listen to your son or daughter's experiences, encouraging full participation in the learning process. Often you have to make choices on when to be actively involved in learning experiences and when to allow your son or daughter the chance to grow from his or her own decisions. It is not easy. Although you are not on campus, technology gives you the opportunity to stay connected at any moment, a much different situation from days before e-mail and cell phones. Back then families may have talked with each other once a week. The trials and tribulations of each day were lost in the excitement of catching up on bigger issues or describing how new challenges were met. Now, with the use of technology, parents are sometimes tempted to take on the role of problem solver and instructor. Instead, I suggest to parents that they try hard to maintain a healthy balance of mentoring, listening, and guiding in order to facilitate the full development of their sons or daughters.
I trust that over the course of your son or daughter's Allegheny career you will witness important developmental changes. I expect that you will see a significant enhancement of his or her ability to imagine, to think critically, to become more culturally aware, and to exercise his or her independence. By being authentic and honest adults, students form lasting relationships with one another while contributing to the development of a safe and healthy community.
Sincerely,
Joseph DiChristina
Dean of Students
